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Can Dogs Get a Cold?

As winter rolls around and temperatures drop, you might notice a number of your friends, family, and coworkers coming down with colds. You’ve probably come down with your fair share yourself! But have you ever wondered about your canine companion? Do dogs come down with a cold the same way people do? We’ve got answers. We’ve gathered some information on canine colds, so you can be better prepared when you catch your dog sneezing.

How Do Dogs Catch a Cold?

It’s important to understand that the term “cold” doesn’t refer to just one illness. A cold could be caused by any number of viruses that happen to create similar symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, and a sore throat. People can catch colds from viruses such as the rhinovirus, which causes a significant percentage of colds in people each year.

Unfortunately, dogs aren’t immune to viruses and can absolutely get colds. The silver lining here is that viruses that infect dogs and cause cold symptoms are different from the ones that make humans sick. So if you feel yourself coming down with something, don’t worry about potentially giving it to your dog–research so far has shown that this isn’t possible.

Dogs tend to catch a cold similarly to how humans get sick. This could involve being outside in cold weather while damp, or being generally unhealthy. Essentially, anything that weakens your dog’s constitution could help create an environment in which a virus can take hold. The key is to avoid giving the virus a foothold in the first place.

To avoid having to nurse your dog through an unpleasant cold, take the same precautions you take to keep yourself healthy during the winter. Don’t let your dog go outdoors while wet. If it’s particularly chilly outside, put her in a sweater or some protective booties and don’t let her wander around in the cold for too long. Lastly, be sure that she’s getting enough water–it can be easy to get dehydrated during a dry winter.

What to Do if Your Dog Catches a Cold

Despite your best efforts, your pup could end up catching a cold from somewhere. The upside to this situation is that a cold, while unpleasant, is not typically dangerous to your dog. To ensure that your pup gets back into tip-top shape, make sure to follow these tips.

Notice the Symptoms

Your dog will likely express the same cold symptoms you suffer from when you get sick. Typically, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, a low fever, and a runny nose are all signs that your puppy could be suffering from a cold. If you notice these persistent symptoms, it’s time for the next step.

Visit Your Vet

When it comes to your pet’s health, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. Even if you’re confident that your dog has come down with the common cold, you are likely not a trained veterinarian. The same symptoms that hint at a cold could also be signs of canine distemper, bronchitis, or kennel cough, a serious respiratory disease that can do a lot of harm to puppies and older dogs. Do yourself–and your puppy–a favor, and check in with your vet if you believe your buddy is unwell.

Follow Your Vet’s Advice

If your vet determines that your canine companion has only come down with a slight cold, he or she may advise that you let the virus run its course. But if the cause of the cold symptoms is something more serious, like kennel cough, your vet may come up with a treatment plan for your dog. This could involve anything from antibiotics to extra fluids, depending on the cause. Be sure to follow all of your vet’s instructions to ensure a healthy recovery for your furry friend.

Help Your Pup Recover with Recuperate

When your dog is recovering from a cold, he needs all the help he can get to return to a healthy lifestyle. Why not add a supplement to his routine to help him get back into the swing of things? Wapiti Labs’ Recuperate supplement uses a traditional herbal formula to support your dog’s natural healing process and normal recovery time. The natural supplement also supports the body’s normal inflammation response and manages discomfort and tissue damage.

Let Wapiti Labs Help Keep Your Pet Happy and Healthy

Being sick isn’t fun, but imagine how your dog feels when he comes down with a cold! It’s not like he’s able to unwrap a cough drop or drink some tea to soothe his throat. But that’s where you come in, and that’s also where Wapiti Labs comes in to support your dog’s health. We offer a wide variety of natural supplements that provide support for your dog’s bodily functions, from kidney health to the gastrointestinal process. Contact us today to find out more about how our products can help your dog live a happy life.